Forum Session

Managers

Mary Ellen Stahlman & Jennifer Ryan

Summary

Demonstrations have been a critical part of the evolution of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Born of the recognition that the two programs would need a mechanism to test new policy approaches and to meet advances in health care delivery and financing, demonstrations have been broadly utilized in Medicare and Medicaid. While demonstrations differ in how they are developed, implemented and evaluated, the purpose is the same: to facilitate innovation and program improvements. This session explored why demonstrations are undertaken, how they have shaped the programs over the years, and why they are often controversial. Panelists also considered ways to improve the design and evaluation of demonstrations.